From time to time, you come across a critic of the Church who claims that the grandeur of our church buildings, our precious vessels and vestments, our art, are all a slap in the face to the poor and hungry. The critic claims that instead of spending money on art and architecture, the money should be given to the starving and homeless.
The critic usually ignores the fact that already the Catholic Church does more to aid the poor than any other private organization in the world, that many religious brothers, sisters, and priests take a vow of poverty and renounce everything for God, and that countless Catholic families and individuals do sacrifice much of their income for the needs of the downtrodden.
In the attitude of such a critic, one often detects a bit of the attitude of Judas in the Gospel today. When Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus with the precious anointment, Judas calls it a waste. Let’s ignore, for a second the fact, that Judas was a thief, and was stealing money from the community purse, and that he justified theft in order to satiate his greed. Judas sneers at Mary’s devotion, her act of love, because Judas was loveless toward Jesus. He derides the act homage as a waste of time and money because he does not actually know how to give of himself. He hides his selfishness behind this fake concern.
To the world, our observances of holy week, our acts of devotion during these High Holy Days of our faith, are a waste of time and money. Why buy easter lilies that will wither and rot? Why use precious incense and vestments? Why waste time and effort in processions, venerations, silent prayer and fasting? For the same purpose we build grand churches, because we love Christ.
Our love for Christ does not diminish our love and care for the poor and downtrodden. As true love for Christ increases, love for others increases. For we are to seek to serve Him in the poor. You can’t love God and hate your brother.
Our service, our worship, our art and architecture, our holy week devotions, are all expressions of our immense gratitude for what the Lord has done for us, the immensity of what he suffered for us, the blessings he has bestowed upon us.
So the snarky critic of the Church’s lavish worship of Christ, needs to look at the whole—the whole life of the Church—how our lavish love for Christ actually fuels our other charitable endeavors.
So we must not be embarrassed to express our lavish devotion in concrete ways, especially during holy week. Yes, there might be some Judas’ out there who will mock and deride us. But there are also those on the fringes who will be converted when they witness our devotions, hard hearts that will be softened when they see our love for him, who goes to the cross for us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
That God may be pleased to increase faith and understanding in the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity.
That those in need may find assistance in the charity of faithful Christians and that peace and security may be firmly established in all places.
For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.
That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.
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